Congratulations! Whether this is your first baby or your fourth, there's nothing quite like the experience of welcoming a newborn into your home. For now, your tiny being will mostly sleep (although not necessarily at night), teeter in and out of consciousness, feed, and then nod back off again. Human beings are born in a very immature state (owing to the proportionally large size of our sophisticated brains)—hence the term for your newborn's "fourth trimester."
Eat
Play
The name of the game right now is contact. Your baby comes into the world programmed to bond. She's learning the sights, smells and behaviors of her closest people, so keeping her near you gives her the feedback she's looking for. Her vision is very blurry and she can focus best about a foot away. She loves to be held, rocked, bounced and curled up in your arms. Touch is her most highly developed sense and it grows from the head down, with her most sensitive area being her mouth. Putting objects on her lips or in her mouth will be her best mode for learning and exploring the world for months to come.
Don't stay cooped up for too long! No need to tote your baby through a grocery store (or, if you have an older child, to a preschool pickup) just yet, but that doesn't mean you can't get outside. Take a walk so you both get fresh air and some sunlight (indirect for your baby). This is really important for your mood and energy, and it will help your baby get accustomed to the cycle of the day.
You've just brought a human being into the world, your sleep is out the window, your body chemistry is in flux—no doubt it's normal to feel a mix of joy, sadness, disorientation and much more. Most women feel some form of "blues" in the weeks after giving birth, but if it feels more intense or doesn't subside, you should tell your OB-GYN or another trusted clinician. Signs like not being able to motivate yourself to take care of and connect with your baby, not being able to sleep (even when your baby does) or intense feelings of anxiety would be good reasons to consult with your doctor.
Milestones
- Notice your baby turning her head when she feels something on her cheek, or diving for a nipple when she's held near someone's chest? This is the rooting reflex.
- The moro reflex causes baby's arms and legs to flail out to the sides randomly, while sleeping, or when she's in motion (you might see it if she's in a baby swing).
- About 1–2 weeks after birth, the umbilical cord stump falls off.
- On day 2–5, Mom's milk comes in.
Coming soon: The moment you've all been waiting for—social smiling!
LOOK AHEAD: Your 1-Month-Old
Photograph by Getty Images
